Adolph e



A. .F KRUEGER. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26, 1920.

1,390,622. PatentedSept. 13, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

MIT

INVENTOR BY QJFY ATTORNEY A. F; KRUEGERJ METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING sNow.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26,1920.

PatentedS pt. 13, 1921 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IENTOR ATTORNEY.

ADOLIPH F. KRUEGER, 0F

PATENT OFFICE.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW.

Application filed April 26, 1920. Serial No. 376,487.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that ADoLrH F. KRUEGER, a (itizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, has invented a certain new and useful Method of and Apparatus for Removing Snow, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates in general to improvements in the art of clearing ways for trafiic, and relates more specifically to an improved method of and apparatus for rapidly and effectively removing impediments such as snow, from sidewalks, roads, highways, railroads and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient method of removing impedlments to traffic, such as snow, from highways and the like. Another object is to provide simple, compact and dependable apparatus for effecting eflicient exploitation of the process.

The .problem of maintaining highways cleared for traflic, has in the past presented many difiiculties,. especially in climates wherein the highways are subject to relatively deep precipitations of snow. It has been found in clearing snow from highways, that the ordinary snow plow comprising rigid blades disposed crosswise of the road and urged forward through the snow bed by means of a suitable propelling agent, merely pushes the snow from the main vehicle course and pilesit along the sides of the road, thus producing a relatively deep and narrow trench. The formation of such a trench is objectionable for several reasons. One objection thereto is that soon after the trench has been formed, the wind blows the relatively light snow from the sides of the roadway and deposits it in the trench, thereby restoring the impediment to traflic. Another objection to theformation of a trench with the aid of a push plow, is that the snow which is pushed from the main course, is firmly packed at the sides of the trench thus froming icebanks or barriers which prevent subsequent precipitations of snow upon the main course, from being pushed off to the sides. A further objection to the trench forming system, is that the water produced by the melting snow, flows into and is confined within the trench, thus leaving a muddy or a slippery road surface as the water subsequently freezes. 'A further objection to the use of the old form of snow plow, is that with wet and relatively heavy snow, it is impossible to urge the plow; forward at any great rate of speed, thus requiring a considerable length of time to clear a highway of any great length. These and other objectionable features of the prior art devices, have made it practically impossible to maintain open traffic on country roads throughout the year.

The present invention contemplates the provislon of a method of and apparatus Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 13, 1921. 7

whereby highways may be rapidly and effectively cleared and maintained open for trafiic. With the new method, the formation of a deep and narrow trench is avoided,

thereby eliminating the objectionable features resulting from the formation of such a trench, and permitting rapid and effective removal of successive precipitations of snow. The improved method comprises successively removing increments of the snow bed, elevating the removed snow, and hurling the elevated particles beyond the side edges of the highway. By thus entirely removing the snow from .the highway, the wind instead of subsequently piling snow upon the surface of the road, will sweep the snow from the vehicle course, thus automatically assisting in keeping the road cleared. The apparatus for carrying on the new method, is capable of advance ment at a relatively high speed, regardless of the characteristics of the snow, and is extremely simple and flexible in. its manipulation.

While a number of relatively limited descriptive terms are employed throughout this application, it is not intended to thereby limit the scope of the invention. The

term snow is intended to-cover any sub- A clear conception of the several steps of the method forming the subject of the present invention, and of one embodiment of apparatus for exploiting the method, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar. parts in the various views.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved snow remover or plow, and of the vehicle for propelling the same.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the snow plow and vehicle shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the snow plow and vehicle shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4'is enlarged fragmentary plan view of 'thesnow plow.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the snow plow.

The improved process as previously generally referred to, consists primarily of sucspectively.

The plow comprises a pair of laterally spaced end drums 2 rotatable about vertical axis, an intermediate drum 3 also rotatable abouta vertical axis, an endless carrier or band 4 having curved portions coacting with'the drums 2 and parallel stretches co-. acting with the drum 3, a vertically tiltahlc frame 5 for maintaining the drums 2, 3 in position, and a series of vertical flights or blades 6 associated with the band 4. The frame 5 comprises a pair of laterally spaced substantially parallel side frames, an upper front cross frame 19 connecting the forward ends of the side frames, and a lower front cross frame 29 located directly below the 3 frame 19. Vertical drum supporting shafts 20,21 are rotatably mounted in the several elements of the frame 5, one of the shafts 20 having a projecting upper extremity provided with bevel gearing 18 through which 1 the driving motion is communicated to the drums 2, 3 and the endless band The blades6'are fastened to the endless hand4in any'suitable manner being spaced substantially equal'distances apart. Each of the blades 6 has a forwardly inclined or curved advancin lower end 23, and is provided with a rear bracket 27 for maintaining the blade perpendicular to the stretches of the band 4.

The upper and lower front cross fames 19, 29 are held at a predetermined height above the ground by means of vertical adjusting rods 30 having caster wheels 26 at their lower extremities which run upon the surface of the road. Each of the adjusting rods 30 is provided with a screw-threaded medial por tion 28 which coacts with an adjacent thread-" ed opening in the lower front cross frame 29. The upper ends of the adjusting rods 30 are interconnected by means of a cross shaft 22 and suitable worm gearingnot shown, so that rotarv motion of one of the shafts 30 will be imparted to the other. The upper extremity of one of the shafts 30 is provided with means consisting of bevel gearing and a substantially horizontal rearwardly extending shaft 17, for imparting rotary motion to the shafts 30 in order to vary the distance between the lower extremities of the blades 6 and the ground.

The vehicle for propelling the plow mechanism comprises a frame 8 mounted upon a pair of front driving wheels 14 and a single rear caster steering wheel 13. The vehicle is provided with a manipulators seat 11 and a caster controlling hand wheel 12 located within easy reach of the seat 11'. The horizontal side members of the frame 5 are secured to the side portions of the vehicle frame 8, by means of horizontal alined pivots 24, and are held against lateral displacement relatively to the vehicle, bymeans of vertical guide pins 25 which pass through openings or slots in the frame 5. The frame 5 extends forwardly beyond the front of the vehicle, thus retaining the plow mechanism in advance of the vehicle. The stretches of the band 4 are disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the vehicle, and are adapted to move the suc cessive blades 6 of the series, across or transversely of the direction of travel of the vehicle.

The common motor 7 for driving both the plow mechanism and the vehicle, is preferably of the internal combustion type and is mounted directly upon the vehicle frame 8. This motor 7 is adapted to deliver power to the vehicle driving wheels 14 through transmission mechanism 9 which is controllable by means of a lever 15. The motor 7 is also adapted to deliver power to the plow mechanism through gearing 18 and transmission mechanism 10 which is controllable by means of a lever 16. The transmission mechanisms 9, 10 are of ordinary formation and permit independent control of the vehicle and of the plow mechanism. The vehicle transmission mechanism 9 preferably permits forward and reversed propulsion of the vehicle at several speeds. The plow transmission mechanism 10 preferably permits forward propulsion of the endless carrier or band 4 in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, at several relatively high speeds.

During normal operation of the apparatus, the motor 7 is placed in operation and the vehicle transmission mechanism 9 is so set that the vehicle is urged forward or propelled at a desirable rate of speed. As the vehicle advances toward a snow bed or drift, the plow controlling lever 16 is manipulated to connect the motor 7 with the gearing 18 through the transmission mechanism 10, thus causing the endless band 4 to move and to successively advance the blades 6 across the path of the vehicle at a relatively hi h rate of speed. The rapidly transverse y and forwardly advancing blades 6 successively remove transverse wertical, strips of the snow bed. Due to the slope or curvature of the lower ends 23 of the blades 6 the snow thus removed is automatically elevated awa from the ground. The elevated snow is subsequently struck by the upper vertical blade portions, and is hurled toward the side of the vehicle course. The vehicle course is thus automatically, rapidly and effectively cleared and the snow which is removed is hurled a considerable distance beyond the edge of the vehicle course. By varying the speed of transverse movement of the blades 6, the distance to which the removed snow is thrown, may be readily and quickly altered.

It is desirable to vary the height of the blades 6 from the road bed, in accordance with the nature of the road surface. If the road surface is smooth, less clearance need be allowed'than if the road is rough. Such variation in elevation of the blades 6 may be quickly produced by manipulating the adjusting control mechanism 17 As this mechanism is manipulated, the vertical adjusting rods 30 are caused to rotate simultaneously, thus causing the screw threaded portions 28 of the rods 30 to raise or lower the frame members 19, 29,, the drums 2, 3, and the blades 6 which are associated with the drums. During such vertical adjustment of the blades 6, the frame 5 swings upon the horizontal pivots 24 and is vertically guided by the pins 25. As the degree of vertical adjustment of the blades 6 is relatively limited, the slack in the chain which connects the motor crank shaft with the pl w transmission mechanism 10, may be made suflicient to readily accommodate such relatively slight adjustment.

It will thus be noted that as the plow is urged forwardly through a snow bed, the blades 6 successively remove increments of the snow, elevate the removed snow, and hurl the elevated particles beyond the side edges of the highway without forming a deep and narrow trench. By thus entirely removing the snow from the highway, the wind is given an opportunity to sweep subsequent relatively light precipitations of the snow from the highway thereby automatically keeping the road clear. The speed of the apparatus maybe readily varied in accordance with the characteristics of the particular snow to be removed, and the apparatus is otherwise extremely simple and flexible in its manipulation.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact steps of the process and to the specific details of the apparatus herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims, may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent I 1. The process of removing snow from highways, which comprises, rapidly successively removing relatively narrow transverse vertical strips of the snow, elevating the removed snow, and hurling the elevated snow toward the side of the highway.

2. In a snow plow, a series of substantially vertical parallel blades each having a laterally supported curved lower end, and means for simultaneously moving said blades in rapid succession transversely of and along a highway.

3. In a snow plow, a series of substantially parallel blades each having a curved lower end movable in proximity to the ground, and means for simultaneously raising all of said lower blade ends from the ground.

4. In a snow plow, a vehicle, a frame horizontally pivotally associated with said vehicle, an endless carrier supported in said frame and extending across the path of said vehicle, a series of blades secured to said carrier, and means for moving said blades in parallel relation to each other about vertical axes.

5. In combination, a substantially vertical blade having a laterally supported curved lower end, means for moving said blade along a highway, and means for simultaneously movin said blade to parallel positions transversely of the highway.

6. In combination, a substantially vertical blade having a laterally supported curved lower end, means for moving said blade along a highway, and means for simultaneously moving said blade to parallel positions transversely of the highway, the speed of movement along the highway being relatively less than the speed of transverse movement of said blade.

7. In combination, a vehicle, a blade associated with the front of said vehicle, means for moving said vehicle and said blade along a highway, and means for producing rapid translatory movement of said blade transversely of the direction of movement of said vehicle, said blade being laterally supported and having a rearwardly and upwardly curved advancing lower end.

8. In combination, a series of laterally supported blades each having a portion adapted to lift and to subsequently urge material toward the side of a highway, means 10. In combination, a vehicle, an endless element associated with the front of said vehicle. a substantailly vertical blade secured to said element and having a portion adapted to lift and to urge material toward the side of a highway, and means for moving said element about substantially vertical axes to produce translatory motion of said blade transversely of the direction of travel of said vehicle.

11. In combination, a vehicle, an endless element associated with the front of said vehicle, a series of substantially vertical parallel blades secured to said element and having portions adapted to lift and to urge material toward the side of a highway, and means for moving said element about substantially vertical axes to produce translatory movement of successive blades of said series transversely of the highway.

12. In combination, a vehicle, a frame transversely horizontally pivotally associated with said vehicle, a substantially vertical blade carried by said frame, means for producing rapid translatory movement of said blade across the path of said vehicle, and means for moving said frame about its horizontal pivot to vary the distance between said blade and the ground.

18. In combination, a vehicle, a frame transversely horizontally pivotally associated with said vehicle, a series of substantially vertical blades carried by said frame, means for producing rapid translator-y movement of successive blades of said series across the path of said vehicle, and means for moving said frame about its horizontal pivot to simultaneously vary the distance terial toward the'sideof a highway, means 15.111 combination, an endless carrier movable about substantially vertical axes, a series of substantially vertical blades laterally secured to said carrier, said blades having curved lower ends, and means for simultaneously moving said blades in rapid succession transversely of and along a highway.

16. In combination, an endless carrier movable about substantially vertical axes, a series of substantially vertical blades laterally secured to said carrier, said blades having curved lower ends movable in proximity to the ground, and means'for simultaneously raising all of said lower blade ends.

17. In combination, a substantially vertical blade having a laterally supported lower end formed to elevate'material, means for moving said blade along a highway, and

means for simultaneously moving said blade to parallel positions transversely of the highway.

18. In combination, a substantially vertical blade having a laterally supported lower end formed to elevate material, means for moving said blade along a highway, and means for simultaneously moving said blade to parallel positions transversely of the highway, the speed of movement along the highway being relatively less than the speed of transverse movement of said blade.

19. In combination, an endless carrier movable about substantially vertical axes, a series of substantially vertical blades laterally secured to said carrier, each of said blades having a lower end formed to elevate material, and means for simultaneously moving said blades in rapid succession transversely of and along ahighway.

20. In combination, an endless carrier movable about substantially vertical axes, a series of substantially vertical blades laterally secured to said carrier, each of said blades having a lower end formed to elevate material and being movable in proximity to the ground, and means for simultaneously raising all of said lower blade ends.

21. In combination, a vehicle, a plurality of vertical blades projecting forwardly beyond the extreme front end of said vehicle, each blade having a curved lower end, means for moving said blades and said vehicle along a highway, means for simultaneously moving said blades to parallel positions transversely of the highway, and means for simultaneously raising all of said lower blade ends.

22. In combination, a vehicle, a series of substantially vertical parallel blades projecting forwardly beyond the extreme front end of said vehicle, each of said blades having a curved lower end, means for moving said blades and said vehicle along a highway, means for simultaneously moving successive blades of said series to oarallel positions transversely of the highway, and means for simultaneously raising all of said 10 lower blade ends.

In testimony whereof the signature of the inventor is aflixed hereto.

ADOLPH F. KRUEGER. 

